Tragedy of the Commons: Kate Rusby and "The Village Green Preservation Society"

Today's song, Village Green Preservation Society, is a cover of a Kinks song by English singer-songwriter Kate Rusby. Described as a "superstar" of English acoustic musicians, and often called "the Nightingale of Barnsley" (after her home town), Kate Rusby was born into a musical family and learned to play guitar, fiddle and piano. She became the lead vocalist of the all-female Celtic band The Poozies before she broke through in her own right in 1995 on a collaborative album with fellow Barnsley native folk-songer Kathryn Roberts. She recorded her first solo album, Hourglass, in 1997. She was married in 2001 to Scottish musician and former Battlefield Band member John McCusker. She has since divorced and married Northern Irish musician Damien O'Kane, with whom she has two daughters and a dog named Doris who is often a part of Rusby's stage banter. The Village Green Preservation Society can be found as a bonus track on Rusby's 2010 album titled Awkward Annie.

Preserve and Protect: Razia and "Tiako Ro"

Today's random tune is by Razia, which is the performing name of Razia Said. Razia gets influence for her music from Fela Kuti and Papa Wemba and incorporates R&B and jazz. Originally from Madagascar, she has lived in many places, including France, Italy, Bali and New York City. This song, Tiako Ro, is from her 2010 album Zebu Nation. The album was the result of many trips back to Madagascar and meetings with the country's most prominent band Njava. They inspired her to write songs in Malagasay, and the album is focused on preservation and conservation Madagascar's environment.